WORLDS RECESSION POLL

[patio]

At 1500 + pages i doubt there is anyone who actually read it...

[macdad-]

pretty much this is the reason why i ignore anything with politics....

[BC_Programmer]

I don't believe either of these definitions are met. prices are no lower, and unemployment has barely increased...

Where have you been?

Unemployment rates are almost 10% here in Ireland. That's a lot when you have a country of just over 4.5 million people.

Of which 90% are still employed.


I think it's just following the standard pattern of recession and prosperity. Of course- if there were an agricultural disaster during this "recession"- as with the 1930's and the drought that combined with the already recessed economy sent a large portion of the world into a depression lasting until World War 2.

The fact of the matter is the way the facts are being presented by the media is giving it all a negative spin. For example, in 1933, 30% of Canada's labour force, 20% of the UK's insured workforce, were out of work- 14% of the U.S workforce was out of work as well. much larger numbers then Canada's current 8% unemployment (which "soared" from 7.9% last year)- with other countries likely hovering around 10%. The thing is- at least here, the newspapers have articles (not front page news, thank goodness) "National Unemployment rate soars to 8%" and yet, looking back I found that last years unemployment rate was 7.9%. I suppose the headline, "92% of Canadians still working" just didn't have the right doomsaying tone to it.

An interesting point of note is that the Soviet Union actually experienced a period of prosperity during the great depression, which kind of precludes it from being "world-wide" I suppose.


EDIT: not arguing with you kpac, 10% isn't good, but it sure as heck isn't a depression (just the naturally flow of recession and prosperity that I've been going on about).

[Google]

Don't think there is a single reason for our (U.S.) and the world current state. Sure it's a combination of a lot of things. But if I had to just vote for one thing or sum it into one thing it'd be: Greed.

I agree, put that option in the poll too.

[macdad-]

Don't think there is a single reason for our (U.S.) and the world current state. Sure it's a combination of a lot of things. But if I had to just vote for one thing or sum it into one thing it'd be: Greed.

I agree, put that option in the poll too.

dito

[Geek-9pm]

sum it into one thing it'd be: Greed.

Yes, one thing.

And Geed can be many things.
* Greed (film), a 1924 film
* Greed (album), an album by the Swans
* Greed (game show), a short-lived game show
* Greed (dice game), a dice game
* Greed (song), a song by rock band Godsmack
* Greed, a character in Fullmetal Alchemist
* Greed, a character in Jack, one of the Seven Sins

The wold has lots of Greed.   
It is said to be a necessary thing.
Is it possible to survive without Geed?

[kpac]

Geek, I think you left out a few "r"s there....

[Broni]

Typical case of rhotacism

[Geek-9pm]

Typical case of rhotacism Grin

Yes, I suffe fom chonic hotacism     
- eh, ah -
I mean , suffer from ch chronic rhotacism

[street1 (RIP)]

If welfare slackers were added in to the present unemployment figures
this would be much scarier.

In the 30's welfare and all the other entitlements were not so available.

[Geek-9pm]

If welfare slackers were added in to the present unemployment figures
this would be much scarier.

Good point!

[mroilfield]

One thing people try to point out to prove the economy is bad is that supposedly the housing market and construction industry is going down. Yet where I live I can see 15 new houses being built within 3 miles of my house and 3 houses previously for sale in my neighborhood were just purchased. There is all kind of new construction not just houses. I have a few friends that are in various parts of the construction industry and they have so much work that they are having to turn down jobs.

So just because housing/construction is dropping in one part of the country doesn't mean that it is dropping else where.

You can't really blame banks for giving out too many loans because no one made all of these people run out and borrow a couple hundred grand to buy a new house when they only make around $40k a year or go buy a new vehicle that is equal to or greater then their yearly salary. Or get a bunch of credit cards and run the bill up so high they have no hope of paying it off in the next 30 years.

So saying that if there is actually a recession/depression then you can pretty much blame every one from the consumers to the CEO's.

I am only 31 years old and make over $130k a year. I also paid in over $32K in federal taxes last year yet this new stimulus bill is going to take my $32k I paid in and give it to people that don't even have to pay taxes. Now tell me why should I have to pay for these people to sit at home on their butts all day. With the way the U.S. is set up if I was to loose my job tomorrow and not be able to get one I would have to wait 5 years before getting and government assistance because they say that I made enough in the past that I should have saved more to make it thru hard times even though I have paid more in taxes then most people I now make in a year.

If we want to fix our economy we need to start looking thing like welfare and any other free hand out programs. If you are on welfare in my opinion you would have 3 months to find a steady job and after that if you want to continue to get a check from the government you would have to start working for them. If you don't want to work then you don't get a check. There are always roads that need fixed or other municipal services that need taken care off. If the government is going to give you the money any way they should at least get something out of it in the process. That would put my $32k a year in taxes to good use that would benefit every one just like taxes are supposed to do.

Sorry for the rant there but I work my *censored* off and am away from my family for half the year so it upsets me when I think of all the people out there that just want to stick their hands out and say give me my check.

[BC_Programmer]

If we want to fix our economy we need to start looking thing like welfare and any other free hand out programs. If you are on welfare in my opinion you would have 3 months to find a steady job and after that if you want to continue to get a check from the government you would have to start working for them. If you don't want to work then you don't get a check. There are always roads that need fixed or other municipal services that need taken care off. If the government is going to give you the money any way they should at least get something out of it in the process. That would put my $32k a year in taxes to good use that would benefit every one just like taxes are supposed to do.

Sorry for the rant there but I work my *censored* off and am away from my family for half the year so it upsets me when I think of all the people out there that just want to stick their hands out and say give me my check.

I know what you mean, and interestingly the way you describe is similar to the way Welfare (social assistance) works in Canada. I'm not sure of the numbers, but if they deem you fit to work (examples to the contrary obviously include those with mental/physical disabilities), then they give you a set amount of time. After that, they cut you off, Unless there is a good reason that it would take more then three months to find a job.

Social Assistance works to benefit those that work, often two or three jobs, but are still unable to meet their expenses. this paired with the Child Tax benefit available in most provinces generally keeps low-income families from falling below the poverty line, keeping them working (social assistance is also cut off if their job is terminated)

Of course, we also have Employment insurance that everybody pays into, and can draw from for a set period after being laid off (that is, not fired or quit), so I think most of these policies will help to soften any blow Canada receives from this "depression" of which I have seen nothing but headlines.

[macdad-]

these "free-bees" and other economic gimmicks arent the escape plan that they say they are(all of them have to be paid by some one, and its usually the working class of society.)

the economy is ruining this country(US) and tearing the middle class apart, which is the countries' strength.